[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 30 (Wednesday, February 13, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3760-3763]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-02169]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XG801


Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of public meetings, hearings, and a partially closed 
meeting.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will 
hold its 131st Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) meeting, 
Joint Advisory Panel (AP) meeting, 176th Council meeting and its 
associated meetings to take actions on fishery management issues in the 
Western Pacific Region. A portion of the Council's Executive, Budget 
and Legislative Standing Committee meeting will be closed to the 
public.

DATES: The meetings will be held between March 12 and March 21, 2019. 
For specific times and agendas, see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

ADDRESSES: The 131st SSC, Joint AP, the Council's Executive, Budget and 
Legislative Standing Committee and Pelagic and International Standing 
Committee meetings will be held at the Council office, 1164 Bishop 
Street, Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813, phone: (808) 522-8220. The 
176th Council meeting will be held at the Laniakea YWCA, Fuller Hall, 
1040 Richards Street, Honolulu, HI 96813, phone: (808) 538-7061. The 
Fishers Forum will be held at the Ala Moana Hotel, 410 Atkinson Dr., 
Honolulu, HI 96814, phone: (808) 955-4811.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kitty M. Simonds, Executive Director, 
Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; phone: (808) 522-8220.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 131st SSC meeting will be held between 
8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. on March 12-14, 2019. The Joint AP Meeting will be 
held between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on March 15-16, 2019. The Executive, 
Budget and Legislative Standing Committee meeting will be held on March 
18, 2019, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. The portion of the Executive, Budget 
and Legislative Standing Committee meeting from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. 
will be closed to the public in accordance with Section 302(i)(3)(ii) 
of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) 
for a briefing on litigation by counsel. The Pelagic and International 
Standing Committee will be held on March 18, 2019, between 2 p.m. and 5 
p.m. The 176th Council meeting will be held between 8:30 a.m. and 5 
p.m. on March 19-21, 2019. On March 19, 2019, the Council will host a 
Fishers Forum between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
    Agenda items noted as ``Final Action Items'' refer to actions that 
result in Council transmittal of a proposed fishery management plan, 
proposed plan amendment, or proposed regulations to the U.S. Secretary 
of Commerce, under Sections 304 or 305 of the MSA. In addition to the 
agenda items listed here, the Council and its advisory bodies will hear 
recommendations from Council advisors. An opportunity to submit public 
comment will be provided throughout the agendas. The order in which 
agenda items are addressed may change and will be announced in advance 
at the Council meeting. The meetings will run as late as necessary to

[[Page 3761]]

complete scheduled business. Background documents will be available 
from, and written comments should be sent to, Kitty M. Simonds, 
Executive Director; Western Pacific Fishery Management Council, 1164 
Bishop Street, Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813, phone: (808) 522-8220 or 
fax: (808) 522-8226.

Agenda for 131st SSC Meeting

Tuesday, March 12, 2019, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

1. Introductions
2. Approval of Draft Agenda and Assignment of Rapporteurs
3. Status of the 130th SSC Meeting Recommendations
4. Remarks from the NOAA Fisheries Director of Scientific Programs and 
Chief Science Advisor
5. Report from the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center Director
    A. Status of Council Research Priority for the FY 2020 Annual 
Guidance Memo
6. Program Planning and Research
    A. SSC Responsibilities in the Modern Fish Act
    B. Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization Act (MSRA) Five Year Research 
Priority 2020-24
    C. NOAA Climate Science Workshop and Regional Action Plan Report
    D. Public Comment
    E. SSC Discussion and Recommendations
7. Island Fisheries
    A. Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) Kona Crab Benchmark Stock Assessment 
Western Pacific Stock Assessment Review (WPSAR) Report
    B. Benchmark Stock Assessment for the MHI Kona Crab with Catch 
Projections for 2020-24
    C. Public Comment
    D. SSC Discussion and Recommendations
8. Protected Species
    A. Discussion Paper on Seabird Bycatch Mitigation Measures
    B. Status of the False Killer Whale Take Reduction Team (FKWTRT) 
Recommendations
    C. Updates on Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Marine Mammal 
Protection Act (MMPA) Actions
    D. Public Comment
    E. SSC Discussion and Recommendations

Wednesday, March 13, 2019, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Plenary Presentation by Ray Hilborn--Blue Ocean Marine Protected Area
9. SSC Concurrent Work Session
    A. Developing a Road Map for Effective Fishery Spatial Management
    B. Developing a Process to Comply with the Modern Fish Act
    C. Review of Draft Biological Opinion
10. Pelagic Fisheries
    A. Updates to the Pelagic Fisheries Research Program
    B. American Samoa Longline Annual Fishery Report
    C. Hawaii Longline Annual Fishery Report
    D. Hawaii Shallow-set Longline Fishery
    1. Status of the Hawaii Shallow-set Longline ESA Consultation
    2. Managing Loggerhead and Leatherback Sea Turtle Interactions in 
the Hawaii-based Shallow-set Longline Fishery (Action Item)
    E. US Participating Territory Longline Bigeye Specifications 
(Action Item)
    F. Maturity, Age, and Growth of Central North Pacific Striped 
Marlin
    G. International Fisheries Meetings
    1. Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) Tuna Growth 
Workshop
    2. IATTC Abundance Indices and Tagging Workshops
    3. 15th Regular Session of the Western Central Pacific Fisheries 
Commission (WCPFC)
    4. 2018 Workshop on Identifying the Spatial Stock Structure of 
Tropical Pacific Tuna Stocks
    5. North Pacific Fisheries Commission (NPFC)
    6. South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization 
(SPRFMO)
    H. Public Comment
    I. SSC Discussion and Recommendations

Thursday, March 14, 2019, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

11. Other Business
    A. 132nd SSC Meetings Dates
    B. Council's Five Year Program Plan
    C. SSC Three-Year Plan (2020-22)
    D. National Scientific Coordinating Subcommittee Meeting 2020
12. Summary of SSC Recommendations to the Council

Agenda for the Joint Advisory Panel Meeting

Friday, March 15, 2019, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Review of Agenda
3. FISH 101 Training

Saturday, March 16, 2019, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

4. Spatial Management
    A. Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ)
    B. Palmyra Project
5. Workshop Discussion on Fishery Management Measures
    A. What Works
    B. What Doesn't
6. Report on Progress of Advisory Panel Plans
    A. American Samoa
    i. Plan Progress
    ii. Additional Issues
    B. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)
    i. Plan Progress
    ii. Additional Issues
    C. Guam
    i. Plan Progress
    ii. Additional Issues
    D. Hawaii
    i. Plan Progress
    ii. Additional Issues
7. Public Comment
8. Discussion and Recommendations
9. Other Business

Agenda for the Executive, Budget and Legislative Standing Committee

Monday, March 18, 2019, 9 a.m. to 12 Noon

1. Financial Reports
2. Administrative Reports
3. CLOSED SESSION (MSA Sec.  302(i)(3)(A)(ii)--Status of Litigation 
9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
4. 2020-24 Program Plan and Budget
5. Council Family Changes
6. SSC role under new Modernization Act
7. NOAA website/Pacific Islands Section
8. Recusal Policy
9. Meetings and Workshops
10. Other Issues
11. Public Comment
12. Discussion and Recommendations

Agenda for the Pelagic and International Standing Committee

Monday, March 18, 2019, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

1. Introduction and Opening of Committee Meeting
2. Managing Loggerhead and Leatherback Sea Turtle Interactions in the 
Hawaii-based Shallow-set Longline Fishery (Action Item)
3. US Participating Territory Longline Bigeye Limits (Action Item)
4. Advisory Group Report and Recommendations
    A. Scientific & Statistical Committee
5. Other Issues
6. Public Comment
7. Committee Discussion and Action

Agenda for 176th Council Meeting

Tuesday, March 19, 2019, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

1. Welcome and Introductions

[[Page 3762]]

2. Approval of the 176th Agenda
3. Approval of the 174th and 175th Meeting Minutes
4. Executive Director's Report
5. Agency Reports
    A. National Marine Fisheries Service
    1. Pacific Islands Regional Office
    2. Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center
    a. Status of Council Research Priority for the FY 2020 Annual 
Guidance Memo
    B. NOAA Office of General Counsel, Pacific Islands Section
    C. U.S. State Department
    D. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
    E. Enforcement
    1. U.S. Coast Guard
    2. NOAA Office of Law Enforcement
    3. NOAA Office of General Counsel, Enforcement Section
    F. Public Comment
    G. Council Discussion and Action
6. Hawaii Archipelago & Pacific Remote Island Areas
    A. Moku Pepa
    B. Legislative Report
    C. Enforcement Issues
    D. Bottomfish Restricted Fishing Areas Removal Report
    E. MHI Kona Crab Benchmark Stock Assessment WPSAR Report
    F. Benchmark Stock Assessment for the MHI Kona Crab with Catch 
Projections for 2020-24
    G. Hawaii Charter Fishery Cost Earning Survey (2012) Report
    H. Registry Permit License Study Group Meeting Report
    I. Education and Outreach Initiatives
    J. Advisory Group Report and Recommendations
    1. Advisory Panel
    2. Scientific & Statistical Committee
    K. Public Comment
    L. Council Discussion and Action
7. Protected Species
    A. Discussion Paper on Seabird Bycatch Mitigation Measures
    B. Status of the FKWTRT Recommendations
    C. Updates on ESA and MMPA Actions
    D. Advisory Group Report and Recommendations
    1. Advisory Panel
    2. Scientific & Statistical Committee
    E. Public Comment
    F. Council Discussion and Action

Tuesday, March 19, 2019, 4 p.m.

Public Comment on Non-agenda Items

Tuesday, March 19, 2019, 6 p.m.-9 p.m.

Fishers Forum

Wednesday, March 20, 2019, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

9. Program Planning and Research
    A. Legislative Report
    B. SSC Working Group Report
    1. Blue Ocean Marine Protected Area Subgroup Report
    2. Modern Fish Act Subgroup Report
    C. MSRA Five Year Research Priority 2020-24
    D. NOAA Climate Science Workshop and Regional Action Plan Reports
    E. Regional, National and International Outreach & Education
    F. Advisory Group Report and Recommendations
    1. Advisory Panel
    2. Scientific & Statistical Committee
    G. Public Comment
    H. Council Discussion and Action
10. Pelagic & International Fisheries
    A. American Samoa Longline Annual Fisheries Report
    B. Hawaii Longline Annual Fishery Report
    C. Hawaii Shallow-Set Longline Fishery
    1. Status of the Hawaii Shallow-set Longline ESA Consultation
    2. Managing Loggerhead and Leatherback Sea Turtle Interactions in 
the Hawaii-based Shallow-set Longline Fishery (Final Action Item)
    D. US Participating Territory Longline Bigeye Limits (Final Action 
Item)
    E. International Fisheries
    1. IATTC
    a. Tuna Growth Workshop
    b. Tuna Stock Assessment Workshop
    2. WCPFC15
    3. 2018 Workshop on Identifying the Spatial Stock Structure of 
Tropical Pacific Tuna Stocks
    4. NPFC
    5. 7th Meeting- SPRFMO
    6. United Nations Intergovernmental Conference on BBNJ
    F. Advisory Group Report and Recommendations
    1. Advisory Panel
    2. Scientific & Statistical Committee
    G. Standing Committee Recommendations
    H. Public Hearing
    I. Council Discussion and Action
11. American Samoa Archipelago
    A. Motu Lipoti
    B. Fono Report
    C. Enforcement Issues
    D. Community Activities and Issues
    E. Education and Outreach Initiatives
    F. Marine Conservation Plan Projects
    G. Advisory Group Report and Recommendations
    1. Advisory Panel
    2. Scientific & Statistical Committee
    H. Public Comment
    I. Council Discussion and Action

Thursday, March 21, 2019, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

12. Mariana Archipelago
    A. Guam
    1. Isla Informe
    2. Legislative Report
    3. Enforcement Issues
    4. Mandatory Permit and Licensing Regulation
    5. Community Activities and Issues
    6. Education and Outreach Initiatives
    B. CNMI
    1. Arongol Fal[uacute]
    2. Legislative Report
    3. Enforcement Issues
    4. Community Activities and Issues
    a. Bottomfish Fishery Development Project
    b. Mandatory License and Reporting Regulation
    5. Education and Outreach Initiatives
    C. Marianas Shark Research Project
    D. Update on Marianas Trench Marine National Monument Management 
Plan and Sanctuary Request
    E. Advisory Group Reports and Recommendations
    1. Advisory Panel
    2. Scientific & Statistical Committee
    F. Public Comment
    G. Council Discussion and Action
13. Administrative Matters
    A. Financial Reports
    B. Administrative Reports
    C. 2020-24 Program Plan and Budget
    D. Council Family Changes
    a. Advisory Panel
    b. Plan Team
    c. Education Committee
    d. Marine Planning and Climate Change Committee
    e. Fishery Data Collection and Research Committee
    f. Protected Species Advisory Committee
    E. Conflict of Interest and Recusal Policy
    F. Meetings and Workshops
    G. Standing Committee Recommendations
    H. Public Comment
    I. Council Discussion and Action
14. Other Business
    Non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come before 
the Council for discussion and formal Council action during its 176th 
meeting. However, Council action on regulatory issues will be 
restricted to those issues specifically listed in this document and any 
regulatory issue arising after publication of this document that 
requires emergency action under section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act, provided the public has been notified of the Council's intent to 
take action to address the emergency.

Special Accommodations

    These meetings are accessible to people with disabilities. Requests 
for sign language interpretation or other

[[Page 3763]]

auxiliary aids should be directed to Kitty M. Simonds, (808) 522-8220 
(voice) or (808) 522-8226 (fax), at least 5 days prior to the meeting 
date.

    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: February 8, 2019.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-02169 Filed 2-12-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P